Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Tree Guy question
Barry Irby
I have a dogwood tree I planted about twenty years ago. (Cornus Florida, Cherokee Sunset) I just noticed the bark is missing off one side of it and has been for a while. The bare wood is blackened. No idea what caused this. Is there anything I can do to improve its chances of recovering?
Re: Tree Guy question
Paul Leuba
If the missing bark is just a couple feet above the ground it is likely that a deer rubbed its antlers across that side of the tree resulting in a braiding the bark off.
It would help the tree to insert fertilizer pellets into the ground out to the drip line, and, to surround the tree with 4’ high wire fencing at least 3’ diameter to keep the deer away from the tree. Fertilize annually for a couple years. The tree should do fine if it’s not further damaged by deer.
Paul in Hunt Valley, MD
Re: Tree Guy question
Barry Irby
I was wondering about deer. My Chihuahua barks at something in the dark. Might be deer. I live in a subdivision but I have seen deer more than once.
Re: Tree Guy question
Tom Dunlap
Fencing to keep more damage is about all that you can do. The tree will grow new layers to cover up the wounds.
If you want to know more about how this works Google 'CODIT'